President Anastasiades Addresses UN Climate Summit

The President stated, "the consequences of climate change are unfortunately only too well known; unless the international community decides to take concerted action in addressing climate change, there is no future for humanity on earth".

Anastasiades described his nation's noticeable climate change, "Cyprus is in the Mediterranean, an area which is already experiencing the first serious effects of climate change such as prolonged periods of drought, increased temperatures, degradation of forests and of rare ecosystems". He further commented, "Cyprus is called upon to formulate a national response to climate change in the midst of an economic crisis, and the difficulties that the military occupation of a part of my country causes in implementing environmental policies".

The Cypriot President added of the island, "has long been taking action towards reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and has been implementing appropriate policies and measures in that respect. By the end of the year our national adaptation strategy shall be in place".

Anastasiades called on all nations to be environmentally responsible, "it is essential that all states meet their obligations in accordance with the timetable agreed in Warsaw. The major and emerging economies must lead the way and submit their intended nationally determined contributions in the first quarter of 2015, together with other states that are ready to do so. Cyprus and the other EU Member States are working towards that end".

The President discussed the urgency of environmental issues, "We are running out of time. The effects of climate change will soon be catastrophic and irreversible. In the following months, it is crucial to agree on a system to which all nations commit and contribute. By the end of 2014 we should have made progress on how to accelerate reductions beyond the current commitments".